Cartilage MRI T2∗ relaxation time and perfusion changes of the knee in a 5/6 nephrectomy rat model of chronic kidney disease

Summary Objective Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by metabolic disturbances in calcium and phosphorus homeostasis as kidney function declines. Alterations in blood perfusion in bone resulting from arteriosclerosis of bone vessels may relate to the progression of CKD. Herein, change in dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI parameters ( A : amplitude , k el : elimination constant , and k ep : permeability rate constant ) and MRI T2 ∗ relaxation time of the knee cartilage were measured in a rodent nephrectomy model in order to (1) examine the relationship of peripheral blood perfusion to CKD and (2) demonstrate the feasibility of using DCE-MRI parameters and MRI T2 ∗ as imaging biomarkers to monitor disease progression. Design Two groups of male Sprague–Dawley rats received either (1) no intervention or (2) 5/6 nephrectomy. Results We found that the CKD group (compared with the control group) had lower A and k el values and similar k ep value in the lateral and medial articular cartilages beginning at 12 weeks ( P ∗ values in the lateral and medial articular cartilages beginning at 18 weeks ( P P Conclusion Perfusion deficiency and CKD may be related. DCE parameters and MRI T2 ∗ could serve as imaging biomarkers of cartilage degeneration in CKD progression.